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Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kevin Costner slams stuntwoman suing him over 'violent', 'unscripted' rape scene in Horizon sequel
A lawyer for Kevin Costner has hit back against the Horizon stuntwoman suing the actor for sexual harassment after she came forward with fresh claims about an unscripted rape scene. Devyn LaBella first alleged in a lawsuit last month that she was the victim of the 'violent' and 'unscheduled' scene while serving as a double for actress Ella Hunt in Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in May 2023. In an amended complaint filed on June 16, LaBella included text messages with the film's intimacy coordinator along with descriptions of the painful emotions she allegedly endured after the scene was completed. Allegations: Devyn LaBella has claimed she was the victim of an 'unscheduled' rape scene in Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 But Costner's lawyer Marty Singer has slammed the latest allegations in a statement obtained by insisting there was 'no intimacy or anything sexual' in the shot. Costner starred in and directed the epic Western film, which is a direct sequel to Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1. Costner's lawyer Singer said: 'LaBella was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot. 'There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor.' Singer also claimed that LaBella thanked her supervisor for 'these wonderful weeks' in a text message sent following her wrap. Singer added: 'Numerous witnesses have contradicted LaBella's meritless claims. She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped stating, "Thank you for these wonderful weeks". We look forward to the swift end of this specious lawsuit.' The amended complaint details how, following a scripted and scheduled rape scene shot on May 1 (which included LaBella, Hunt and actor Douglas Smith), the stuntwoman alleges the following day she was 'set to perform a non-intimate scene as a double' with Hunt. She alleges that they learned the scenes would instead be filmed with male actor Roger Ivens, who was cast during pre-production, and 'no arrangements were made' for an intimacy coordinator to be present during the shoot (her contract allegedly required such a coordinator be present during intimate scenes). Hunt allegedly 'walked off the set, refusing to do the scene' as a result of the 'ad hoc and violent nature of the sudden script change request' along with the absence of the intimacy coordinator, according to LaBella's complaint. LaBella was allegedly unaware Hunt had walked off and was asked by Costner to appear as a 'stand in' for Hunt to 'line up [a] shot' - which she agreed to do. However, the complaint alleges that LaBella was 'completely in the dark' as to what the scene would entail, 'whether her undergarments would be worn or exposed, who would be involved, what was expected of her, whether there would be a rehearsal or run through, whether there was a need for and therefore would be an intimacy coordinator and most importantly, whether she consented to do a scene that would require her consent'. Costner - whom the complaint notes was 'fully in charge of directing the action filmed' that day - allegedly directed Ivens 'to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape on LaBella.' The complaint reads: 'As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of Ivens mounting LaBella while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms to forcibly pin down LaBella, who was on her back underneath him. 'Ivens violently rustled LaBella's skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will and he was directed to pin her legs open with his knee.' The complaint also states: 'LaBella was never given the opportunity to prepare for or consent to participate in this scene, much less to object to it. 'To the contrary, without a discussion, explanation, rehearsal, choreography session or stunt or intimacy coordinator present, Costner instructed LaBella to "lay down" as Ivens, who was dirty and covered in sweat, climbed on top of her and then lifted up her skirt while pinning her legs down so she could not move.' The complaint also alleges that LaBelle's 'personal undergarments were exposed' during the scene, which only further added to her humiliation as she was menstruating at the time of the shoot. It notes: 'As Costner directed Ivens to carry out the violent assault over and over and over again, LaBella felt the air pour over her intimate parts as her personal undergarments were exposed, even though to LaBella's knowledge, costume underwear is typically worn in planned intimate shots 'This exposure was especially humiliating to LaBella as she was menstruating at the time, compounded by the fact that between takes, Ivens' hands rested on top of the bundled-up skirt above her vagina. 'Wardrobe immediately sewed up LaBella's bloomers after the scene as she requested. It should have been done prior to the scene, but the departments were not prepared or informed that the scene would be happening.' LaBella previously claimed that Costner did not call out 'action' or 'cut' during the scene, which meant she wasn't aware when it began or ended. She further alleged that neither the film's stunt coordinator or the intimacy coordinator were present during the filming of the impromptu scene or informed it was happening. In the fallout from the scene, LaBella says she suffered 'shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation', and she contacted the intimacy coordinator to discuss the 'abomination'. The complaint contained screenshots of their subsequent text messages in which LaBella expressed her grievances over the May 2 shoot. When LaBella returned to the set following a break, the complaint claims the environment for her as 'very awkward' with the production team now behaving 'extra careful' around her. It noted that 'multiple people apologized to her over the course of days and made excuses for Costner, all of which made her feel even more uncomfortable'. It adds she was not re-hired for Horizon 3. LaBella first first the lawsuit against Costner and the Horizon producers last month. People reported that she is 'suing for an undisclosed amount and wants a trial by jury'. Costner's attorney previously slammed LaBella as a 'serial accuser' as he vehemently denied her claims, which he insisted have 'absolutely no merit,' in a statement. He said that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously'. Singer, who accused LaBella of 'shakedown tactics,' also alleged that she had approved and rehearsed the scene with another actor prior to filming. Singer concluded: 'The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.' LaBella's attorney James Vagnini called the lawsuit 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood'. LaBella's other attorney Kate McFarlane added that the 'case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production'.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kevin Costner HITS BACK at stuntwoman suing him over 'violent' rape scene in his western flop Horizon
A lawyer for Kevin Costner has hit back against the Horizon stuntwoman suing the actor for sexual harassment after she came forward with fresh claims about the unscripted rape scene she alleges she was subjected to for his $100million Western epic. Stuntwoman Devyn LaBella first alleged in a lawsuit last month that she was 'the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner' while serving as a double for actress Ella Hunt for Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in May 2023. In a new amended complaint filed June 16, LaBella has now included text messages with the film's intimacy coordinator along with descriptions of the painful emotions she allegedly endured after the scene was completed. But Costner's lawyer Marty Singer has slammed the latest allegations in a statement obtained by insisting there was 'no intimacy or anything sexual' in the shot. 'Ms. LaBella was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot,' Singer said. 'There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor.' Singer also claimed that LaBella thanked her supervisor for 'these wonderful weeks' in a text message sent following her wrap. Stuntwoman Devyn LaBella first alleged in a lawsuit last month that she was 'the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner' while serving as a double for actress Ella Hunt for Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in May 2023 'Numerous witnesses have contradicted Ms. LaBella's meritless claims. She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped stating, "Thank you for these wonderful weeks." We look forward to the swift end of this specious lawsuit.' The amended complaint details how, following a scripted and scheduled rape scene shot on May 1 (which included LaBella, Hunt and actor Douglas Smith, who played Sig), LaBella alleges the following day she was 'set to perform a non-intimate scene as a double' with Hunt. The amended complaint alleges that they learned the scenes would instead be filmed with male actor Roger Ivens, who played the character Birke and was cast during pre-production, and 'no arrangements were made' for an intimacy coordinator to be present during the shoot (her contract allegedly required such a coordinator be present during intimate scenes). Hunt allegedly 'walked off the set, refusing to do the scene' as a result of the 'ad hoc and violent nature of the sudden script change request' along with the absence of the intimacy coordinator, according to her legal complaint. LaBella was allegedly unaware Hunt had walked off and was asked by Costner to appear as a 'stand in' for Hunt to 'line up [a] shot' - which she agreed to do. However the complaint alleges that LaBella was 'completely in the dark' as to what the scene would entail, 'whether her undergarments would be worn or exposed, who would be involved, what was expected of her, whether there would be a rehearsal or run through, whether there was a need for and therefore would be an intimacy coordinator and most importantly, whether she consented to do a scene that would require her consent.' Costner - who the complaint notes was 'fully in charge of directing the action filmed' that day - ultimately directed Ivens 'to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape on Ms. LaBella.' 'As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of Mr. Ivens mounting Ms. LaBella while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms to forcibly pin down Ms. LaBella, who was on her back underneath him,' the complaint reads. 'Mr. Ivens violently rustled Ms. LaBella's skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will and he was directed to pin her legs open with his knee.' The complaint also states: 'Ms. LaBella was never given the opportunity to prepare for or consent to participate in this scene, much less to object to it. 'To the contrary, without a discussion, explanation, rehearsal, choreography session or stunt or intimacy coordinator present, Defendant Costner instructed Ms. LaBella to 'lay down' as Mr. Ivens, who was dirty and covered in sweat, climbed on top of her and then lifted up her skirt while pinning her legs down so she could not move.' The complaint also alleges that LaBelle's 'personal undergarments were exposed' during the scene, which only further added to her humiliation as she was menstruating at the time of the shoot. 'As Defendant Costner directed Mr. Ivens to carry out the violent assault over and over and over again, Ms. LaBella felt the air pour over her intimate parts as her personal undergarments were exposed, even though to Ms. LaBella's knowledge, costume underwear is typically worn in planned intimate shots,' the complaint noted. 'This exposure was especially humiliating to Ms. LaBella as she was menstruating at the time, compounded by the fact that between takes, Mr. Ivens' hands rested on top of the bundled-up skirt above her vagina,' it further added. 'Wardrobe immediately sewed up Ms. LaBella's bloomers after the scene as she requested. It should have been done prior to the scene, but the departments were not prepared or informed that the scene would be happening.' has contacted representatives for Iven who had no comment at this time. LaBella previously claimed that Costner did not call out 'action' or 'cut' during the scene, which meant she wasn't aware when it began or ended. She further alleged that neither the film's stunt coordinator or the intimacy coordinator were present during the filming of the impromptu scene or informed it was happening. In the fallout from the scene, LaBella says she suffered 'shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation', and she contacted the intimacy coordinator to discuss the 'abomination.' The complaint contained screenshots of their subsequent text messages in which LaBella expressed her grievances over the May 2 shoot. When LaBella returned to the set following a break, the complaint claims the environment for her as 'very awkward' with the production team now behaving 'extra careful' around her. It noted that 'multiple people apologized to her over the course of days and made excuses for Director Costner, all of which made her feel even more uncomfortable.' It adds she was not re-hired for Horizon 3. LaBella first first the lawsuit against Costner and the Horizon producers last month. People reported that LaBella is 'suing for an undisclosed amount and wants a trial by jury.' Costner's attorney Marty Singer previously slammed LaBella as a 'serial accuser' as he vehemently denied her claims, which he insisted have 'absolutely no merit,' in a statement. He said that Costner 'always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' Singer, who accused LaBella of 'shakedown tactics,' also alleged that she had approved and rehearsed the scene with another actor prior to filming. He also claimed she was in 'good spirits' afterwards and had expressed gratitude for the opportunity via text to Horizon's stunt coordinator. Singer concluded: 'The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail.' The impact of the scene took a toll on LaBella, according to her lawsuit, as she allegedly broke down and experienced 'reminders of shame, humiliation and complete lack of control.' LaBella claims that the onset incident has left her 'with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come.' She said she began suffering from 'sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy' and 'anxiety,' which drove her to seek the help of a therapist in June 2023. 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism. What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' she shared in a statement to PEOPLE last month. 'As I continue performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I operate with a fierce commitment to upholding the highest standards, creating sets where safety, communication, and consent are non-negotiable. 'This experience has ignited in me a lifelong mission to be the advocate I once needed, ensuring no one else is ever left as vulnerable as I was.' LaBella's attorney James A. Vagnini called the lawsuit 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood.' LaBella's other attorney Kate McFarlane added that the 'case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production. 'Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm. This happened despite the fact that there exists standards of conduct and behavior specifically designed to protect people like Devyn LaBella,' McFarlane concluded.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Heartbroken Nicola Peltz claims dog groomer 'caused the death' of both her dogs Nala and Frankie
Grieving heiress Nicola Peltz is claiming that the groomer responsible for the death of her chihuahua Nala is also to blame for the death of her French bulldog Frankie, can reveal. And she has enlisted the services of a high-powered celebrity attorney known as 'Mad Dog' in her legal battle against the New York pet grooming company she claims is responsible. The grooming business at the center of the controversy, HoundSpa LLC, along with its owner Deborah Gittleman and groomer Jony Ceballos, have denied all allegations. In her lawsuit, she alleges Ceballos' history of 'intentional and malicious abuse of dogs' caused the death of her dog Nala and that when she went into the van, she was a 'healthy, happy dog' but returned in 'severe physical distress'. Veterinary records revealed eight-year-old Nala suffered from fluid in her lungs, neurological issues and a dangerously rapid heart rate before her untimely death. Nicola, 30, was recently ordered to appear for her deposition by October 30 of this year. Now the billionaire heiress, AGE, wife of Brooklyn Beckham, has doubled down on her accusations, asserting that HoundSpa is to blame for not only Nala's death but also her French bulldog Frankie and for injuring her brother's dog Banksy, according to court documents obtained by Renowned Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer, not so affectionately known as 'Mad Dog,' has been hired to prove the company's negligence as he's represented other A-listers such as Kim Kardashian and Michael Jackson. The NY Supreme Court has ordered that both parties disclose vital documents. Nala's necropsy report must be produced by Nicola by July 1 and the grooming company's insurance documents by May 30. That same document, obtained by also revealed that a judge has requested Nicola's presence in court for a deposition before October 30. In Nicola's lawsuit, which was filed in July of last year, she alleged that Ceballos caused the death of her 'healthy dog' by 'intentional and malicious abuse', claiming that this isn't the first time there's been a complaint against him. She called the firm and Ceballos' conduct 'severe and outrageous' after discovering Nala 'was in serious physical distress with her lungs full of water, chest pulsating and hyperventilating'. When her dog's health began to crash after the routine grooming appointment, she was rushed to the vet, but within a few hours, the small pup passed away. The star said she has been left in emotional distress over the ordeal, especially given she witnessed Nala's death, and that her other dog Angel screams and shakes in terror when left alone after a grooming at the same place. However, from this tragedy also came another bombshell revelation for Nicola, who claimed it was after the death of Nala that she 'understood' Ceballos was also to blame for her French Bulldog Frankie's death in 2021. 'In the summer of 2021, Nicola had used HoundSpa to groom her French bulldog, named Frankie. Ceballos was the groomer whom HoundSpa sent for Frankie's grooming. 'Upon returning from his grooming with Ceballos, Frankie was in visible physical distress, repeatedly stumbling as if he had been sedated. The actress said that after taking him to multiple neurologists, one found that Frankie had fluid in his brain following up with a question on whether or not he had been in an accident. His worsening health caused the Frenchie to have his eye removed when part of his brain 'started concaving on itself' and he died a few months later. 'Nicola cried and cared for her dog – not at that time suspecting that an individual charged with caring for her dog would have hurt him.' She adds that another dog Angel still suffers from trauma after being groomed by Ceballos 'and has developed a fear of being left in a room alone and whenever left in a room alone, she starts to shake and scream in apparent terror'. Nicola also stated that her brother and his girlfriend's dog Banksy, who suffers from skin allergies, had a 'traumatic' experience with the groomer when he let the medicated allergy shampoo get into her eyes, causing them to be 'completely shut'. Despite the couple repeatedly warning Ceballos to avoid getting it in their eyes, Nicola claimed he 'showed clear frustration' and 'rushed the conversation'. In the aftermath of that grooming, Banksy's eyes were 'red and irritated, and had puss coming out of them'. But after they complained to Gittleman about Ceballos, no action was allegedly taken. In line with Nicola's claims, there are a slew of negative Google reviews on the company's page, such as from dog owner Lauren Krasne who alleged that her dog left the appointment with razor-inflicted cuts on her chest and stomach. 'Hound Spa was by far the worst grooming job my dogs have ever gotten. My younger dog came back to me with cuts from the razor on her chest and stomach and the groomer did not say anything about it,' Krasne raged in her review. 'Do not put your dogs in a dangerous situation and use them. Another reviewer, Carmen Santos said they would give a 'minus one' rating if they could after her three dogs were treated by Ceballos, saying that they 'would shake when they would see Johnny [sic]', who had a 'strange/bad vibe' and 'wasn't friendly'. Santos also added that the firm uses the car park of Northwind Kennels, in Bedford, whose owner Penny Berk was arrested last year on seven counts of animal cruelty. Another dog owner, Carmen Santos alleged that Ceballos has a 'strange/bad vibe' and that her dogs were terrified of the grooming, shaking every time they would see him. She also alleged that after she brought up her concerns to the owner, Ceballos remained on staff Santos adds: 'The fact that she was using the parking lot of Northwind Kennel - whose owner just got arrested two weeks ago for animal cruelty - is no coincidence. They are probably both in collusion. STAY AWAY from HOUND SPA.' It's alleged that Berk failed to properly treat a Bernese Mountain dog and her four puppies, who had to be put down, along with two other hounds. Berk had been investigated for a year by the SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit. It appears Santos is correct as HoundSpa's Facebook and website still gives the same address as Northwind Kennels. Although its FB page hasn't been updated for two years HoundSpa is now based in nearby Mount Kisco. In Nicola's complaint, she mentioned another awful review. 'Gittleman should never have allowed Ceballos to continue to groom pets after receiving multiple customer complaints concerning his mistreatment and abuse of animals. 'For example, a former customer described using HoundSpa to groom her puppy as a "Horrible experience []". 'The customer stated how the groomer "Jonny . . . mishandled the puppy (in front of several witnesses) in such a horrific manner the pup peed as he grabbed them!", that "all [of the puppy's] desensitization training has been replaced by trauma". 'The reviewer continued that following her dog's grooming, the "poor pup has been left traumatized just seeing the van". 'The customer also stated that she "can only imagine the treatment being done inside the closed van" and that she is "genuinely concerned for the well-being of [HoundSpa's and its groomer's] own dogs if this is the treatment they are receiving". 'She ended by saying she "highly DO NOT recommend them for the sake and love of your pets".'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bitter Kevin Costner makes shock jibe at Yellowstone
Kevin Costner has made a shock jibe about Yellowstone, the series he acrimoniously departed last year amid a rumored rift with creator Taylor Sheridan. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Costner - who first began playing patriarch John Dutton in 2018 - mused the characters 'all should be in prison'. 'Well it's modern day ranching. Yellowstone was able to capture that really so beautifully. I mean, it's a bit of a soap opera,' the actor, 70, told the outlet. 'I mean, we all should be in prison,' he said, seemingly alluding to all the killings occurring in the show. Kevin's character John was unexpectedly killed in a murder-for-hire plot during the premiere of Yellowstone's season five part two in a death several fans interpreted as a final 'F U' from Sheridan amid their rumored spat. Last year, in an exclusive video obtained by the Oscar winner said of the show's finale: 'I'm not thinking about [the Yellowstone finale], I don't think I've given it any thoughts, we'll just let it go.' News first started to spread about Costner potentially leaving the show in 2023, amid rumors of a rift between the actor and series creator Taylor Sheridan. Costner's attorney Marty Singer denied rumors that Costner refused to film on the show for more than just one week in Season 5 Part 2. 'The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of Season 5 of Yellowstone is an absolute lie,' Singer said last summer. 'It's ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn't be believed for one second,' he added. The filming conflicted with Costner's plans to direct his first movie in 20 years - Horizon - the first in a planned four-part Western movie series. Costner ultimately confirmed in June 2024 that he would not appear at all in Season 5 Part 2, in a video he posted to Instagram. 'I want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that's required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love, I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future,' Costner said. 'It was something that really changed me. I loved it. And I know you loved it. And I just wanted to let you know that I won't be returning and I love the relationship we've been able to develop and I'll see you at the movies,' he added. Costner's 'soap opera' remarks echoed previous comments director Quentin Tarantino made about the show that did not sit well with fans, with the iconic filmmaker dismissing the series as little more than a 'soap opera.' The online drama kicked off in December 2024 after the Pulp Fiction creator was asked to compare movies with modern TV shows during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. While Tarantino admitted that some recent TV series are 'pretty good,' he argued they are never as 'compelling' as feature films and used Yellowstone as his prime example. 'I didn't really get around to watching Yellowstone the first three years or so. Then I watch the first season, and I'm like, "Wow, this is f****** great!" I've always been a big Kevin Costner fan, he's f******wonderful in this,' Tarantino recalled. 'And I get really caught up in the show, I'm having a great time watching. And the first season, I'm kind of talking like, "Oh, this is like a big movie."' He continued: 'While I'm watching it, I'm compelled. But at the end of the day, it's just a soap opera.' And just to drive the point home, he added, 'You don't remember it five years from now,' which, naturally, set fans of the hit show on fire. The backlash came fast and furious, with Yellowstone lovers flooding social media to defend their beloved series and call out Tarantino for his 'dismissive' take.
